DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic
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President Luis Abinader highlighted historic employment levels and a growing formal labor market in the Dominican Republic today, citing figures from the Central Bank’s National Continuous Labor Force Survey.
Speaking under the slogan “More work, better future,” Abinader announced that as of the first quarter of 2025, the country has reached 5.1 million people employed, with 2.3 million in formal jobs (46.6%) and 2.8 million in informal work (53.4%). This represents a net increase of 176,581 new jobs compared to the same period in 2024.
He emphasized a consistent trend of job creation, with an average annual growth of 102,000 new formal sector jobs over the past 4.5 years.
Notably, female labor force participation reached a historic high of 50.6% in May 2025, surpassing 50% for the first time. Overall employment rates also hit a record high of 62.8% during the same period.
The President highlighted significant progress in reducing unemployment, which stood at 4.9% in...
President Luis Abinader for the first time has asserted that the Haitians need to tackle the crisis in Haiti and break from the historic tradition of blaming other nations.
“They have a big problem there. They need to stop this historical tradition of blaming others,” the President stated, challenging narratives that downplay the severity of the situation in Haiti and the real causes. “The claim that there is no problem in Haiti is invented, I question it. We are trying to draw attention to the problems they face.”
The President insisted that the worsening of the situation in Haiti poses a challenge for the entire region and underscored this as a reason for the involvement of the international community.
Abinader emphasized that since September 2021, his government has been advocating for effective measures to address the crisis. “I am responsible for Dominican...
The Dominican government should provide a robust response to Haiti’s allegations blaming the Dominican Republic for the crisis. The president of the Dominican Evangelical Unity Council (Codue), Feliciano Lacen Custodio, affirmed that these accusations are part of an international campaign pressuring the Dominican Republic to take responsibility for Haiti’s crisis.
“Firstly, we reiterate that these allegations against the Dominican Republic are nothing more than the plan by international organizations to make our country responsible for the situation of the Haitian people,” he stated.
Lacen Custodio emphasized that President Luis Abinader has repeatedly declared that the Dominican Republic cannot bear the burden of the grave crisis in the neighboring country.
The pastor argued that Haitian authorities must recognize their responsibility in finding a solution to...
The regular practice of the governments in Haiti for decades has been to accuse France, the Dominican Republic, the United States and Colombia for the current problems.
The rhetoric has yet to focus on the arming and financially supporting gangs by the elite in Haiti, to use these to control territories, disrupt elections and exert political influence in efforts to pursue short-term goals. Analysts have concluded this led to the widespread violence, instability, and breakdown of governance.
The elite’s power struggles, corruption, and lack of accountability have created a climate of political instability, which has further fueled the crisis.
The blame rhetoric ignores the fact that it is the elite in Haiti that controls two private ports of entry.
The elite private sector owns and operates with no outside oversight the ports of Port Lafito and Terminal Varreux in...
In a significant boost for the country’s tourism sector employees, hotel workers in the Dominican Republic will benefit from a substantial salary increase of up to 30%, effective June 2025. This decision was announced following negotiations between the National Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores) and the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Workers in Tourism, Commerce, and Similar Industries (Futrahotel).The salary increase is expected to positively impact over 100,000 tourism sector workers and their families. Workers in various hotel roles, including housekeeping, maintenance, and food service staff, will receive the higher wages. This agreement covers employees in hotels, resorts, and other accommodation establishments across the Dominican Republic.
President Luis Abinader said during the La Semanal press conference on Monday, 26 May 2025, that the record pay...
Presidency Minister José Ignacio Paliza announced on Monday, 26 May 2025 a new preventive patrol plan by the National Police, set to launch on June 2nd in the National District and Santo Domingo province. The new model would next be expanded to the country’s second largest city, Santiago on June 5th. He made the announcement following the weekly Citizen Security Plan meeting at the National Police Officers’ Club,
The minister revealed that the innovative model will involve 1,100 meticulously trained and equipped officers.
He said the pilot system aims to establish intelligent, planned, and permanent patrolling to enhance crime prevention and improve interactions between officers and citizens.
Paliza explained that the new model will be implemented in four prioritized areas, covering 72 previously identified sectors. Each unit will have specific...
A feature in N Digital by Raul German Batista blasts those who enjoy the bounties of the Caribbean Sea-bordering maritime boardwalk, but leave behind litter. The journalist reports that the city government spent US$50 million to build the Paseo Maritimo Malecon, spanning 3.5 kilometers (2.1 miles) along the Caribbean Sea as a vibrant public space for recreation and tourism. Yet, the scenic waterfront is continuously impacted by litter left behind by the nighttime visitors.
As things stand, while intended as a gathering place for outdoor activities and a catalyst for urban renewal, the Malecón now grapples with this serious problem of accumulated trash, primarily due to carelessness from those enjoying the nightlife, especially on weekends.
German reports that the absence of clear guidelines for Malecón users has led to the formation of small garbage piles...
Members of the National Police’s South Central Regional criminal investigation division (DICRIM), based in Baní, recovered two lost suitcases containing multiple passports and personal belongings of American citizens. This success was achieved through meticulous investigation and analysis of surveillance camera footage, N Digital reports.
The recovery took place in the Las Cayenas 2 residential area of Santo Domingo Este, following a claim report from a US citizen. One of the suitcases contained seven US passports belonging to the affected individuals, along with clothing, personal hygiene items, and a baby stroller.
According to the woman’s statement, while traveling to Barahona province for religious activities, two suitcases carrying personal documents and daily essentials fell off their vehicle on the Baní-Azua stretch near Cañafistol, Peravia...
Crystal Fiallo returns to the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE) as executive director after a stint in government. She had served as deputy director of the Procurement Agency (DGCP) and as director of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Public Administration (MAP).
She had begun her work career with ANJE in 2015 as a researcher, where she contributed to initiatives focused on institutional strengthening and young business leadership.
Fiallo is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Unibe in Santo Domingo with post-graduate studies in Governance and Development from the University of Sussex (England), and in Administrative Law from the University of Salamanca, Spain and the Global Institute in Santo Domingo. She is completing her thesis for her masters degree in Public Procurement and Contracting remotely with the Universidad Nacional de San...
Karl-Anthony Towns / CBS Sports
Dominicans are celebrating the prowess of national basketball team player Karl Anthony Towns in the Eastern Conference final matches between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. When it seemed as if the third game between the Knicks and Pacers was decided, it was Towns in the final quarter who delivered an incredible 20 points to turn the game around and lead the Knicks to win 106-100.
The next games are:27 May at Indiana Pacers’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse29 May in New York’s Madison Square Garden31 May in Indiana Pacers’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse2 June in New York’s Madison Square Garden
Follow the story: New York Post...
Volodymyr Gurenko / El Nuevo Diario
Top-seeded Canadian tennis player, Volodymyr Gurenko lived up to expectations, capturing the Caribbean Cup J100 Santo Domingo title on Saturday, 24 May 2025.
Gurenko dominated American eighth seed Shaan A. Majeed in the final, securing a decisive 6-2, 6-1 victory. The triumph earns Gurenko 100 ranking points.
The women’s crown was claimed on the previous Friday, 23 May 2025, by Isabelle Thi DeLuccia of the United States.
The tournament, officiated by Cuban Abel Álvarez as referee and Dominican Francisco de los Santos as assistant, was organized by the Dominican Tennis Federation (Fedotenis).
The Caribbean Cup marked the end of two weeks of junior tennis action in Santo Domingo. Last week, the Trinitaria Cup, also held at the National Tennis Center in Parque del Este, saw competition in both singles and doubles...
Casa de Teatro, on the Arzobispo Meriño Street, in the Colonial City invites to the summer jazz performances on Thursdays from June through July.
Now in its 26th edition, the festival has been a cornerstone of Dominican and international jazz since 2000.
The festival kicks off on June 5th with the Jonn Reyna Trio, led by Dutch pianist Jonn Reyna, a recognized figure on the local jazz scene and professor at the International School of Contemporary Music at UNPHU. His style blends gospel, soul, fusion, and bebop.
The following week on June 12th, the Sebastián Murena Trio takes the stage, featuring Argentine guitarist Sebastián Murena, a master of swing, bebop, and hardbop.
June concludes with two more captivating performances: the Eliezer Paniagua Trio on June 19th and the Sebastián Mueses Trio, a young talent who has participated in events like Fiesta Sunset Jazz...
Tourism analyst Juan Llado mentions that the impact of the expansion of accommodations in the Dominican Republic via Airbnb is greatly in the spillover effect in the local community that is greater than in the case of foreign investment and foreign-operated properties. Airbnb turns apartment and home units into hotel accommodations and these generate local buys and the funds go to bank accounts of local people.
In his article on the subject for Acento.com, he estimates there are more than 125,000 Airbnb rooms in the market in the Dominican Republic, located all around the country. This is more than the 90,000 hotel room statistics usually mentioned by the government.
Nevertheless, Llado warns that the overexpansion of the services could cause negative impacts as has occurred in Spain, where these have been banned in many areas.
Llado estimates that 25% of the total tourist arrivals...
Sports tourism consolidates further in the Dominican Republic with the celebration of the MIC Football in Punta Cana, on the country’s eastern coast.
For 25 years, the organizers of MIC Football have congregated young soccer players in Costa Brava, Spain. For the first time, the tournament is held outside of Spain and at the Cap Cana Sports City and soccer venue, The Fields with natural grass. The event will take place 24 to 29 June 2025 in the south Punta Cana residential and touristic and sports tourism area of Cap Cana.
The youth soccer world tournament brings together teams from five continents for a global competition among the best talents in emerging football players. More than 2,000 players and 1,000 family and friends are booked to come from 20 countries for the event.
MICFootball will celebrate its first edition in the Dominican Republic with the support...
Santo Domingo is hosting the International Association of Destination Wedding Professionals 2025 Destination Wedding Congress from 26 to 29 May 2025. The IADWP describes itself as the leading authority in destination weddings. The congress is an opportunity to connect with a global community of professionals.
The conferences on the program and business appoints are mostly happening at the Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino on the Malecon in Santo Domingo. The Kimpton Las Mercedes is another venue for participants.
As part of the program, the participants have the opportunity to visit several wedding venues and attractions in the Colonial City and boutique hotels. On the list for site inspections in the Colonial City are Quinta Dominica and Portazul; several colonial city churches Chapel of the Convent of the Dominicans, Regina Angelorum Church, Santo Domingo...
Continuing with its announcements of non-stop flights to the United States, the Dominican Republic-based airline Arajet announced on Tuesday, 20 May 2025 the launch of its newest US route, Punta Cana International Airport to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The flights are set to begin on 15 November 2025 and will operate three times a week.
Tickets are for sale. Travelers can now purchase tickets for the Punta Cana-O’Hare route, with fares starting at US$117 one-way.
Chicago marks Arajet’s fifth US destination from the Dominican Republic, joining Boston, Miami, New York, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The airline’s expansion into the US market follows the open skies bilateral agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States, which took effect in December 2024, easing flight restrictions between the two nations.
Arajet is based in Santo Domingo...
President Luis Abinader inaugurated the National Vehicle Retention Center (Cenarve), located on the Santo Domingo West off the Santo Domingo Beltway in La Cuaba, Pedro Brand municipality on Saturday, 24 May 2025. The modern facility, constructed by the Ministry of Housing and Buildings at a cost of RD$625 million, replaces the outdated El Coco Racetrack impound lot.
Spread across 141,000 square meters, Cenarve has capacity for 826 vehicles, 1,203 motorcycles, and 15 tow trucks. The state-of-the-art center also includes areas for vehicle scrappage, a workshop, waiting room, mechanical and paint shops, storage, offices, and a fuel station.
“With projects like this, the central government clearly demonstrates the importance it places on public order and the safety of Dominican citizens,” stated Danny Santos, Vice Minister of Construction at the Ministry of...
In a significant step towards modernization and environmental conservation, the Dominican government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mines, launched the National Energy Efficiency Program on Wednesday, 21 May 2025. The initiative aims to overhaul the public lighting system across the country by installing 254,000 state-of-the-art LED streetlights coupled with intelligent management systems.
This ambitious project, covering approximately half of the nation’s public lighting, is expected to slash energy consumption by over 50% in targeted areas and prevent the annual emission of 34 million tons of polluting gases, thereby making a substantial contribution to preserving the environment.
The incorporation of a remote management system will enable real-time monitoring and control of public lighting, significantly reducing operational and...
The reality of the pressures exerted by the highly politicized teacher and public school employees unions versus quality of education is now making news. Studies confirm that the billions of taxpayer money spent on wage increases for the teachers have not translated into more learned graduates.
New Minister of Education Luis Miguel de Camps has the challenge of making a difference.
Read More:
The nation’s highest court, the Constitutional Court has ruled on a resolution passed by the National Council on Social Security (CNSS), which established an age limit for a person to receive a disability or survivor’s pension, as well as a time limit to file for such benefits.
The Constitutional Court ruled that Social Security Law 87-01 “does not establish a [time] limit for exercising these rights.” This decision effectively nullified Resolution 569-03 from April of 2023.
The higher court said that the CNSS had given itself an attribute that the law dd otherwise establish, which was to “create, via regulations, limitations or dispositions not foreseen in Law 87-01.”
The case was brought before the high court by several prominent lawyers and a group of associations, foundations, and the Dominican Human Rights Council. The CNSS measures had...
Celso Marranzini, the head of the Unified Council of Electricity Enterprises (CUED) has been known to say things that are obvious but that many consider “not something you want to say out loud.”
For example, several years ago, when Marranzini was the head of the now-defunct Dominican Corporation of State-owned Electricity Enterprises (CDEEE), he visited several barrios in Santo Domingo with reporters and noted how nearly every humble abode in the barrio had a satellite dish for television and Internet on the roof. These barrios did not have electricity meters, and instread each house was charged a small, fixed rate. He asked the reporters in a facetious manner: “And these people do not pay for electricity?” A reference to the fact that they could afford television and satellite internet service but could not afford to pay for the electricity.
Just last weekend...
It’s a clear message to business people to resist the temptation to steal power from the national grid. A court in the eastern Santo Domingo Judicial District has sentenced a businessman to three years in prison for defrauding the Eastern Electricity Distribution Company (EdeEste). The sentence was handed down by the First Penal Chamber of the Court of First Instance on Friday, 23 May 2025 and serves as a reminder the new authorities in charge of the electricity distribution system are seriously cracking down on fraud.
A statement from EdeEste urges its users to regularize their energy consumption practices, warning against engaging in unlawful actions. The call comes as part of ongoing efforts to ensure fair and sustainable use of the country’s electrical resources. By adhering to legal guidelines, customers can help prevent potential sanctions while contributing to the...
As the revitalization program for the historic Colonial City in the National District continues, the digging of old streets and areas to install new water, electricity and telecom pipes has brought to light some interesting archaeological discoveries. The most recent are the human remains found adjacent to the Church of Our Lady of Carmen.
The National Monumental Assets Agency (DNPM) tghat oversees the renewal program has guaranteed that all of the archaeological protocols regarding the discoveries of the very old human remains as well as ceramics from centuries ago will be followed.
It appears that during the colonial period, it was customary for the faithful to request burial in the ground nearest to the church. This can be seen at the century-old church in Santa Barbara de Samana, where there is a tiny graveyard just feet from the church. In Santo Domingo...
There is a little-known entity called Park T-RD, running a program called the National Plan for the Construction of Public Use Parking [Garages], some of which are from 60% to 70% finished, Diario Libre reports.
Obviously, the end game for such a project is to ease traffic congestion in such places as Santo Domingo, and to a lesser extent Santiago, San Francisco de Macoris, and San Cristobal.
The overall plan is to build 16 parking garages, but the initial step is to build just eight.
Some have been finished, such as the one at Atarazana in the Colonial Zone, and the one near the Palace of Justice in East Santo Domingo which is really close to being finished.
Down in the area of the Feria, near the old Indrhi building, they are building another one that is getting near completion. That one is going to have seven levels and is about 70% completed according to the head of the...
Marcos Orellana / El Caribe
Local farmers know the chemicals are not allowed in farm produce exports to Europe, but for local consumption everyone seems to look the other way. The farmers many times are but accepting the recommendations of Ministry of Agriculture agronomists on how to use the chemicals.
In recent years, the fumigation of crops with the toxics has made headlines when the fumes have intoxicated school children and staff when happening near public schools adjacent to farmed areas.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on hazardous substances and waste management has raised serious concerns following his visit to the Dominican Republic. UN’s Marcos Orellana warned about the presence of toxic chemicals used in agriculture to control pests, insects, fungi, and weeds. Roundup (glyphosate) and Paraquat are still used in the DR, despite the availability of...
Vice President Raquel Peña and the coordinator of the Social Policy Cabinet, Tony Peña, led the VIII Ordinary Graduation of the “Oportunidad 14-24” program on Thursday, 22 May 2025 at the Carlos (Teo) Cruz Boxing Coliseum in the capital city. 4,074 young people completed their training in various technical and vocational fields.
The program is aimed at providing young persons with the training in practical areas that allows for a rapid insertion into the labor force.
During the ceremony, Vice President Raquel Peña underscored the significance of this program in strengthening human capital. She pledged ongoing support for the initiative, emphasizing its role in the economic and social development of the Dominican Republic.
Tony Peña, coordinator of the Social Policy Cabinet, stressed that the program has successfully reduced social inequality in the...
The Dominican Republic continues to grapple with a disturbing trend of child and teenage pregnancy. According to the National Statistics Office (ONE)’s Vital Statistics Yearbook, 585 girls between the ages of 11 and 14 gave birth in 2024. This figure highlights a stark reality: young girls are facing early motherhood, jeopardizing their health, development, and fundamental rights.
Of these 585 births, two girls were just 11 years old, 17 were 12, 124 were 13, and 442 were 14-year-olds. These cases are part of a larger trend: 15,977 births registered among women aged 19 and under, accounting for 11.58% of the total 137,946 births in the country during 2024.
While these statistics show a relative decrease compared to previous years, teenage pregnancy remains a critical issue. In 2024, there were 1,140 births to 15-year-olds, 2,007 to 16-year-olds, 2,916 to 17-year-olds, 4,044 to...
Darianny Mercedes Acosta and Maicol Rafael López, residents of Río Seco in La Vega, welcomed quadruplets – three girls and a boy – at the Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS) on Friday, 23 May 2025.
After years of struggling with infertility and undergoing various treatments to conceive, Acosta, 27, delivered the healthy quadruplets prematurely. The infants, named Maia, Mailin, Mailen, and Maicol David, remain in incubators but are doing well.
“It’s a gift from God,” the couple described their unexpected bundle of joy. They have been together for several years and married for three. The parents said they previously worked at the free trade zone in La Vega but had to stop due to the pregnancy.
While overjoyed at becoming first-time parents, the couple acknowledges the challenges ahead. They live in a rented two-bedroom house and will need significant...
Headline news over the Mother’s Day holiday shares the heart-moving message of a mother who lost her only offspring, her daughter Alexandra Grullon due to the collapse of the roof of the capital city night club. The president of the Sur Futuro Foundation, Melba Segura wrote the message. Alexandra Grullon had attended the Rubby Perez merengue concert that evening at JetSet accompanied by her husband Eduardo Guiaronex Estrella, her brother Eduardo Grullón and his wife Johanna Rodríguez de la Cruz, all victims of the 8 April tragedy.
Over the weekend, the media announced the death of 33-year old Army captain Alba Maria Montero Rojas who had been in intensive care for 46 days at the Hospital Traumatológico Doctor Ney Arias Lora. The husband of the young woman and four other friends or family on the same table at the nightclub, also died that evening.
El Dia in its update on the tragedy...
While gang violence spirals out of control in Haiti, thousands of children are abandoning classrooms to navigate a landscape of chaos. The NGO Confiance Haïti (Trust Haiti), whose focus is that children may continue to go to school, calls out the plight of the children in Haiti at a time when the rest of the world seems largely look the other way.
7 Dias shares the view of the ONG Trust Haiti that argues that the ongoing violence gripping the nation reflects, in part, the failure of the international community and serves as a stark reminder not to be swayed by the silence of Western media outlets. It compels us to ask: what is happening to Haiti’s children?
Trust Haiti says the situation is harrowing. Scenes are nearly apocalyptic. Criminal gangs control major cities, plunging the country deeper into extreme poverty. Many parents can no longer feed their children, leading them to be...
Listín Diario reports it was able to successfully transfer its domain, listindiario.com, to a new provider without any disruption in service. The move comes after the newspaper received a warning from its previous domain host, Network Solutions, requesting the removal of an article for allegedly violating their terms of use.
The article titled “Lisandro Macarrulla Jr. Admits to Charges by the Public Ministry in Medusa Case,” was published on 22 March 2024. It detailed Lisandro José Macarrulla Martínez’s admission of guilt before Judge Amauri Martínez in a case of administrative corruption. Macarrulla Martínez confessed to paying bribes for the construction of a module at Las Parras prison and explained the irregular negotiation process.
Listín Diario expressed gratitude for the support received from various sectors of society. In its editorial on Monday, 26 May...
The Dominican Republic’s 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) campaign begins in Bangkok, Thailand with the matches from 4 to 8 June. The DR’s senior women’s teamm, the Reinas del Caribe will face Serbia on 4 June. In Week 2, they travel to Hong Kong, China from 18 to 22 June to meet Poland, Canada, Turkey and the USA. They close the preliminary phase in Seoul, South Korea from 27 June to 1 July, where they will face South Korea, China, Bulgaria, Japan and Serbia.
The 2025 VNL Schedule for the Reinas del Caribe:Week 1: 4-8 June 2025• June 4: vs. Serbia (Bangkok, Thailand)• June 5: vs. Japan (Bangkok, Thailand)• June 6: vs. Netherlands (Bangkok, Thailand)• June 7: vs. Brazil (Bangkok, Thailand)• June 8: vs. Italy (Bangkok, Thailand)Week 2: 18-22 June 2025• June 18: vs. Poland (Hong Kong, China)• June 19: vs. Canada (Hong Kong, China)• June 20: vs. Turkey (Hong Kong...
Cibao FC has been crowned once more the champion of the Dominican Football League (LDF) Cup Tournament, following a narrow 1-0 victory over Delfines del Este in the return leg final held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) university stadium.
The only goal of the match came from forward Carlos Ventura, who capitalized on a precise cross from right-back Edwarlyn Reyes in the 90th minute to secure the win for Cibao FC.
As reporterd, the game was intense and evenly matched throughout, with the decisive moment coming in the dying seconds of the encounter.
During the awards ceremony, the match officials —Randy Encarnación, Raymundo Feliz, José Bare, and José Corporán— were recognized for their outstanding performances.
Additionally, Atlántico FC from Puerto Plata received the Fair Play Award.
In the individual awards, Delfines del Este...
26-year old Dominican Pittsburgh shortstop Oneil Cruz has set a new record for the hardest-hit ball ever tracked by Statcast. He drove the ball 122.9 mph in Pittsburgh’s 6-5 series finale loss to the Brewers at the PNC Park. As reported by MLB, Cruz’s ball cleared the right-field wall with ease, traveling a projected 432 feet, and one-hopped into the Allegheny River, all by the time Cruz even left the batter’s box.
“It feels good. I was looking for a good pitch to hit and I connected really well,” Cruz said, through his interpreter and assistant coach Stephen Morales. “It feels even better just to know that it’s the hardest-hit ball in the history of Statcast.”
The blast was Cruz’s 11th of the season and marked the 83rd home run in the history of PNC Park (since its debut season in 2001) to reach the water, and was the sixth time in his career he’s done so.
Cruz broke his own record...
New efforts of the Ministry of Public Health now under Minister Victor Atallah seem to be bearing fruit. The Ministry of Public Health is reporting seasonal lows of dengue cases, despite the consistent rains. The Ministry of Public Health has held major educational campaigns and has purchased mosquito-busting equipment for use in vulnerable areas, creating new awareness.
The Ministry of Public Health announced a significant decrease in dengue fever cases across the Dominican Republic, despite confirming two new cases in young children this past week.
During epidemiological week 19, two five-year-olds, one each from Puerto Plata and San Cristóbal, tested positive for dengue. This brings the total to 13 cases reported over the last four weeks, marking a substantial 73.5% reduction compared to the same period in 2024.
So far this year, the nation has confirmed 94 dengue cases. The...
Jaime Aristy Escuder / Diario Libre
The growing size of government in the Dominican Republic, as hundreds of thousands seek the well-paying jobs, coincides with the declining funds available in the National Budget for capital investments.
Economist Jaime Aristy Escuder writes in an opinion piece in Diario Libre about how the historic declining trend of capital investments has increased significantly in the Abinader administration.
He cites data shared by fellow economist Andy Dauhajre that indicates that capital expenditure has declined to a recent low of 2.5% of GDP, reflecting the continued subsidies for electricity and fuel subsidies. This is down from Trujillo’s 8.5%, Joaquin Balaguer’s 6%, Hipolito Mejia’s 5%, Leonel Fernandez’s 4% and Danilo Medina’s 3.8%.
Aristy Escuder says that the low capital investment in the Abinader administration is attributed to the...
The boom in construction of a high rise where there was but a single-family home, authorized by the Carolina Mejia city government without taking into consideration the deficient sewage capacities in the city, is worsening a decades-old problem that needs to be tackled now.
The aging sewage infrastructure cripples Greater Santo Domingo’s precarious sewage system, Diario Libre reports. Greater Santo Domingo’s sanitary drainage system is facing a crisis, with frequent collapses largely attributed to aging, obsolete pipes, an unplanned population boom, and a lack of public awareness. Only 18% of the streets and avenues in the area have sanitary sewage, and even that is severely overloaded, according to Luis Salcedo, deputy director of operations for the Santo Domingo Aqueduct and Sewer Corporation (CAASD).
In its report, Diario Libre highlights that the root of the problem is that many of the...
Rogelio Genao / Listín Diario
A controversy between the Minister of Environment Paino Henriquez and La Vega senator Rogelio Genao brings to the front the importance of the seasonal ban on crab consumption.
After Genao uploaded to his social media a video showing him eating crab meat, he received a note from the Ministry of Environment asking him to rectify and remind people that crab meat consumption is banned until 30 June.
Genao would argue he received the crab meat as a gift from a friend and it was an imported product. He said that Henriquez could take him to court to prove his fault.
The seasonal ban from 1 March to 30 June is obligatory as it enables the species to multiply.
Read More:
Jean Michel Moïse / N Digital
Haiti’s government directly accused the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Colombia for exacerbating its internal security crisis, alleging that these nations are key sources for the illegal arms and drug trafficking fueling widespread violence. The accusations were made during a special session of the Organization of American States (OAS) held in Washington on 22 May 2025, as a follow-up to the request of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the OAS take a leadership role in the Haitian multidimensional crisis.
Jean Michel Moïse, Haiti’s Minister of Defense, asserted that the severe security challenges that plague Haiti are not solely due to internal factors but are significantly driven by transnational criminal organizations operating across borders. He specifically highlighted the Dominican Republic as a critical entry point for...
Prime Minister Alix Didier Filx-Aimé and Former Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles / Hati Libre
The Haiti Presidential Transitional Council is fostering advances toward the passing of a new Constitution in Haiti that would enable governance, Haiti Libre reports.
Not everyone is happy about the effort. The Haiti Times reports on some of the controversies that surround this effort. Haiti Times writes:
“As Haiti marks the 38th anniversary of its 1987 Constitution on March 29, a proposed referendum to amend the document is generating controversy. While proponents argue that constitutional reform is needed to address governance challenges, critics say the process is illegitimate, violates the Constitution itself and could further destabilize the country.
“The referendum is moving forward despite legal challenges, a worsening security crisis, and...
First Lady Raquel Arbaje met with Princess Leonor de Borbón on Thursday, 22 May 2025 at the Port of Santo Domingo. The Spanish heiress had arrived in the Dominican Republic aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano. The visit is part of Princess Leonor’s naval training with the Spanish Armada.
Arbaje described the encounter as a “close and enriching” experience, expressing the nation’s honor in hosting the future Queen of Spain and the crew of the iconic vessel.
“Being able to tour this ship, learn its history, and share with its people allowed us to connect with a legacy of commitment, vocation, and service,” the First Lady stated.
The visit is seen as a reinforcement of the historical and cooperative ties between the Dominican Republic and Spain.
From Santo Domingo, the ship sails to New York for the last leg of the training...
Cigar lovers are invited to visit the Feria Agroalimentaria 2025 to take place 28 to 31 May 2025 at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel in the capital city. The Tabaco Institute (Intabaco) has coordinated the participation of 15 tobacco industry companies.
The cigar industry participation is just one of the many sectors participating in the Feria Agroalimentaria is regarded as the pivotal event for the food, tobacco and beverage sectors.
The biennial event has a reputation as an essential gathering for industry professionals and consumers eager to explore the latest trends, production advancements, and market innovations.
The upcoming fair will feature over 200 exhibitors, showcasing a vast array of products, from fresh fruits and vegetables to processed goods and beverages.
The fair is organized by the Junta Agroempresarial Dominicana (JAD) and...
Mother’s Day is the focal point of all activity now happening in the Dominican Republic this weekend. The weather bureau reports mostly good weather with sunny skies and only scattered showers for the Sunday, 25 May 2025 national holiday, the result of a passing trough.
Read more in Spanish:
Reynol Osorio / Diario Libre
It’s the kind of story everyone likes to read. The tale of Reynol Osorio, a Dominican bodybuilder who worked as an instructor at a famous gym chain in Santo Domingo, who married Spanish social worker Sonia Prieto Almazan whom he met in the DR and migrated with her to Spain. Osorio recently won the award for best chef in Aragon, northeast Spain.
Diario Libre tells his story, detailing that Osorio was born in the tourist town of Boca Chica but grew up in nearby San Pedro de Macoris with his parents.
The couple decided they would live in Spain and for Osorio, the flight to Madrid would be his first time on a plane. He credits the support of his wife’s family with his today success. He lucked out when he was warmly received by the Prieto Almazan family that owned a restaurant and encouraged him to advance professionally. The restaurant served...
Reports are that the Police has arrested the pick-up driver suspected of harassing women drivers in the capital city.
Diario Libre reported that a wave of disturbing incidents had gripped Santo Domingo with multiple women reporting a recurring pattern of vehicular harassment and assault. The common denominator: a white pickup truck, allegedly driven by a man who specifically targets female drivers.**
The alarm raised by chef Cristina Báez went viral on social media, after she detailed how she had been pursued and rammed by the driver on Sarasota Avenue. Dashcam footage obtained by Báez identified the vehicle as a white Ford F-150 with license plate number L515467.
“He’s been tailgating me for three blocks, honking his horn,” Báez wrote on Instagram. “At the traffic light, he did this and then backed up to prevent me from getting his license plate number...
While Mother’s Day is a globally celebrated holiday, its date varies widely across countries. In the Dominican Republic, it falls on the last Sunday of May – a tradition with deep historical roots, Diario Libre explains. The advertising and promotions of major stores remind Dominicans Mother’s Day this year is on Sunday, 25 May 2025.
Unlike the United States, where Mother’s Day is observed on the second Sunday of May, the Dominican Republic’s celebration was established later and independently. The origins trace back to 1926, during the presidency of General Horacio Vásquez. His wife, Trina de Moya, and educator Ercilia Pepín spearheaded the creation of the first “Pro-Mother’s Day Committee” in Santiago de los Caballeros. The aim was to establish a dedicated day to exalt mothers, mirroring global trends but with a uniquely Dominican flavor.
That same year, the committee...
Miguel Collado Di Franco / Acento
According to economist and professor Miguel Collado Di Franco, the Dominican Republic’s labor market saw a modest increase of only 2.5% (or 4,355 jobs) in the 12 months between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.
Analyzing recent data from the Central Bank, Collado Di Franco, Vice President of the Regional Center for Sustainable Economic Strategies (CREES), noted that 27% of the 176,581 new jobs cited by the institution were in the public sector. This means that 47,049 individuals were hired by the government. “In other words,” he explained, “without the use of public funds for these hirings, the growth would have been limited to 129,533 new jobs, and the occupation levels between 2023 and 2024 would not have been reached.”
Collado Di Franco contrasted these figures with those from the first quarter of 2023 to the...
Human remains and small ceramic fragments scattered on Arzobispo Nouel Street, opposite the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, are being examined by archaeologists to determine their ethnic origin and the century they may have belonged to.
The National Monumental Heritage Agency (DNPM) announced on 21 May 2025 that, according to historical records, it was customary to bury believers’ bodies on the outskirts of churches, a practice that began to change formally with the inauguration of the cemetery on Independencia Avenue in August 1824.
The Church of El Carmen was built on the grounds of the San Andrés Hospital in 1615 by the Brotherhood of Los Remedios and El Carmen through donations.
“The earliest records of burials at this temple date back to the second half of the 1660s; however, there are no preserved plaques or epitaphs for any of the...
Haiti is enduring the worst crisis in its history with no immediate hopeful improvement in sight.
The Organization of American States (OAS) announced it will host a high-level symposium on Haiti’s security crisis, following public rebukes from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the organization’s inaction amidst escalating violence and instability in the Caribbean nation.
The event, organized by Haiti’s Presidential Transition Council (CPT), is scheduled for Thursday, 22 May 2025 at 9am in the Americas Hall at the OAS headquarters in Washington. It will gather Haitian authorities, member state representatives, and international experts.
According to a statement on CPT’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the symposium was arranged after counselor Smith Augustin met with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro in April.
“In a context marked by the proliferation of armed...
President Luis Abinader has issued Decree No. 268-25, creating an advisory committee to study the migration legal framework of the Dominican Republic. The committee will subsequently present suggestions deemed relevant based on its analysis to the President.
The temporary and honorary committee is coordinated by former president of the Constitutional Court Milton Leónidas Ray Guevara, alongside specialized public and private law jurists Jimena Conde Jiminán, Justo Pedro Castellanos Khoury, Juan Manuel Rosario, Belén Catalina del Toro, Lenis García Guzmán, Javier A. Suárez, Félix Tena de Sosa, and Jatzel Román González.
The Presidency says that the committee’s establishment underscores the government’s commitment to thoroughly examining and potentially updating the country’s migration laws and policies.
Read more in...
Journalist Jorge Gonzalez of El Nacional typifies what indigent and undocumented Haitians go through as the violence and chaos in Haiti expels them to cross the 391 km land border in search for the living they cannot make at home.
He tells the story of 24-year old Haitian Ariel Jean, a lanky young adult, who has found work here in construction. He tells of the constant fear that accompanies Jean now that the Migration Agency has stepped up efforts to curtail the increasing flow of Haitians to this side of the island.
“The clandestine life of Haitians in the Dominican Republic is a constant struggle for survival,” he writes. He writes about the many times Ariel Jean has been caught by Migration agents, and loaded on the migration van that will begin his deportation process.
Ariel Jean says he was 15 years old when he sought out a relative who had been living in...
It’s a very tough life if you are a Haitian migrant. In addition to the new checks on those who do not have regularized legal status, in the DR Haitian migrants have to deal with long delays at the Haitian mission in their quest to renew or secure passports, Diario Libre reports.
Haitians need the document to regularize their status in the Dominican Republic. Diario Libre reports the Haitians interviewed say major sums of cash is needed to fast-track the issuance. For decades, Haitians here have had to wait long years to get the document. Others have found out that connections within the consulate can make a difference.
Many told Diario Libre the only way to bypass the delays is to pay substantial bribes ranging from RD$35,000 to RD$50,000 (approximately US$650 to US$925).
“I paid 35,000 pesos and received my passport in 15 days. Others have paid up to 50,000, but...
An undocumented Haitian identified only as Gago Fabela is accused of stealing US$6,000 from his employer’s residence in the municipal district of Arroyo Salado Payita, in Maria Trinidad Sanchez province on the northeastern coast.
According to the Police report, the victim, Ramón González, reported the robbery to a local patrol. González stated that the money was kept in his closet and that the worker took advantage of a moment of inattention to steal it.
As reported, the Police immediately launched an operation, apprehending the suspect in the Los Solares neighborhood. Upon his arrest, Fabela was found in possession of US$5,900 and RD$4,650.
The detained man was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (Dicrim) in Payita and will later be taken to the police station in the municipality of Cabrera, under the supervision of...
Ambassador Juan Bolívar Díaz and President Claudia Sheinbaum / Listin Diario
Dominican ambassador to Mexico, Juan Bolivar Diaz Santana presented credence letters to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on 20 May 2025. Diaz Santana took advantage of the occasion to invite the Mexican President to attend the Summit of the Americas scheduled to take place in Punta Cana in December 2025. The DR is hosting the event that is organized with the backing of the United States Secretary of State.
Prior to his career as a diplomat during the Abinader administration, Diaz Santana was active as a professional journalist.
During the ceremony at the Mexican Presidential Palace, the new ambassador explained his close ties in Mexico where he studied and began his journalism career.
Read more in...
Source: Noticias SIN
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) froze US$147 million allocated to 38 credit unions in Puerto Rico for solar, electric vehicle and energy efficiency projects, El Dia reported on 21 May 2025. Reports are that some of the funds will be used instead to improve the transmission lines.
Reports are that the US Department of Energy (DOE) is moving ahead with a major initiative to improve power service on the island contracting power generated in the Dominican Republic. A decision to cut red tape procedures seems to be in place prior to the installation of a submarine electric cable between Puerto Rico and the DR.
The submarine cable project intended to transmit electricity from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico is advancing steadily, with US federal environmental permits expected to be approved by November 2025...
Hot noon temperatures are expected due to warm easterly/southeasterly winds and light Saharan dust particles for most of the Dominican Republic. The forecast for Thursday, 22 May 2025 includes some scattered showers but mostly the country will be under the impact of Saharan dust.
The Dominican Weather Institute, Indomet says that the combination of a light layer of Saharan dust and an anticyclonic system will result in hazy skies, hot temperatures, and minimal rainfall across most of the Dominican Republic. However, isolated showers are possible as early as morning in provinces such as La Altagracia, La Romana in the East, to Barahona and Pedernales in the Southwest.
During the afternoon and into the evening, expect scattered clouds with localized downpours and isolated thunderstorms in areas including El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, Azua, La Vega, Santiago...
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the Organization of American States (OAS) to take a leadership role in actions to end the control of the violent gangs in Haiti.
The Miami Herald reports that Rubio suggests OAS play a greater role in Haiti, including mobilizing ‘a force.’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested on Tuesday, 20 May 2025 that the Organization of American States play a greater role in Haiti, where he acknowledged the country is being overtaken by criminal gangs and a US-backed mission led by Kenya is struggling to restore peace and stability.
“If ever there was a regional crisis that you would think an organization like this could step forward and provide a force or a group of countries that, working together, could help solve, it would be the OAS,” Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday about the hemispheric entity.
He said the...
Walking the streets of Santo Domingo has become a perilous undertaking for residents, who must navigate not only traffic but also the ever-present threat of falling into treacherous sinkholes caused by stolen manhole covers.
The theft of these vital infrastructure components has reached alarming levels, creating a serious public safety hazard, reports Diario Libre. Criminals steal the covers to sell the metal, leaving gaping holes in the street that expose pedestrians and drivers alike to potentially devastating accidents.
Some communities have resorted to makeshift solutions, filling holes with tires, rocks, or old car parts. However, these temporary fixes fail to address the root problem. Sinkholes plague neighborhoods across the economic spectrum, endangering everyone.
The daily experience of Santo Domingo’s pedestrians is a constant dodging of these...
In South America, Brazil and Chile have banned the construction of upstream dams due to their inherent risks, yet the demand for minerals continues to drive the need for tailings storage facilities.
In the Dominican Republic, the leading gold mining venture, Barrick seeks to build a second tailings dam and while this has been cleared by the Abinader administration the implementation is meeting with community rejection. Barrick has not announced it will implement alternative technologies for tailings management, such as dry stacking or dewatering, to reduce risks.
The very real risks of environmental, health and life risks of the current tailings dam in the province of Sanchez Ramirez are high up in the concerns of community activists. Communities in other provinces categorically have rejected the installation of a tailings dam, leading the mining company to...
As the Interamerican Development Bank-funded renovations of the historic Colonial City of Santo Domingo continue, historic findings continue to be made. One of the most recent findings is that of human bones located when workers dug to install underground new pipes and electric and telecom connections.
Read more in Spanish:
The Ministry of Interior and Police reports that there is a significant increase in foreigners acquiring Dominican citizenship.
For instance, a Ministry of Interior & Police press release explains that in a recent oath of allegiance ceremony, 82 individuals from 30 countries officially became Dominican citizens on 20 May 2025. The event was held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra auditorium, with the participation of Minister of Interior & Police Faride Raful taking the oath.
The newly naturalized citizens hail from across the globe, with origins as far-flung as Pakistan, Bulgaria, South Africa, Vietnam, Russia, and Croatia, alongside those from Spain, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. The Americas were also well-represented, with individuals from North, Central, and South American nations.
Nations with the highest number...
Investigative journalist Alicia Ortega presented a follow up TV report questioning the actions of National District prosecutor Julio Saba Encarnación, assigned to the Plan Piloto that deals with seized vehicles.
In her Monday, 19 May 2025 sequel to a first El Informe con Alicia Ortega program on perceived irregularities in Saba Encarnación’s actions regarding seized vehicles, Ortega presented new evidence of alleged mishandling. She again urged an official investigation by the Attorney General higher-ups.
Ortega points to a complex judicial imbroglio that reveals a pattern of contradictions and potential abuse of power within the Public Ministry, the prosecution arm of the Attorney General Office.
The Public Ministry has stated it cannot comment on prosecutor Saba Encarnación’s situation, citing an ongoing investigation. The unfolding events...
The Migration Agency (DGM) reports it has already filed 102 cases involving 144 individuals charged with assisting the illegal entry of 686 undocumented foreign nationals. The number is a significant increase from the single case brought to court by the DGM in the first nine months of 2024.
Of the 144 individuals charged, judges have ordered preventive detention for 14, while 42 have been granted economic bail and ordered to report periodically. Travel bans were issued for 20, and 32 are required to report periodically without additional conditions. Coercive measures for the remaining 36 defendants are still pending.
Laura Mariñez, the DGM’s legal director, stated that the primary offenses cited in these submissions include illegal immigrant trafficking (80 cases), document forgery (9 cases), and extortion and fraud (3 cases).
The DGM’s efforts span across...
The creativity of drug traffickers continues to impress, yet the local authorities are getting better at catching unusual exports. The National Drug Control Agency recently reported the seizing of 334 packages with suspected cocaine disguised in a shipment of plastic resin squash exports.
The DNCD reports it continues to increase its capturing of shipments in the border provinces with Haiti. Pedernales and Dajabon are the two main entry points from Haiti, with most cocaine known to enter by sea.
7 Dias reports that Dominican authorities have dealt a significant blow to cross-border drug trafficking, seizing over 6,224 packages of narcotics in three major operations within a mere 72-hour span. The busts, concentrated in the southwestern province of Pedernales and the northwestern region of Dajabón, underscore an intensified effort to combat the flow of illegal drugs into...
The Dominican Republic football national team that is participating in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup has submitted its preliminary roster for the 18th edition of the Confederation’s premier tournament for men’s senior national teams will take place this summer, from 14 June to 6 July 2025, across 14 stadiums and 11 metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada.
Concacaf stands for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football. It’s one of the International Federation of Football, FIFA’s six continental governing bodies for association football. Concacaf oversees football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The tournament will feature 16 national teams: the best 15 from the Concacaf region, all of whom qualified through the latest edition of the Concacaf Nations League or the 2025 Gold Cup Prelims, along with one invited guest team, Saudi Arabia.
The opening match between the reigning champion team of Mexico and the...
Dominican music is catchy and tourists regularly learn to dance the tropical beats when staying at a resort or vacationing here. In a recent video, Hollywood actor Tom Cruise gets an advance dancing class with Dominican former beauty queen and TV personality, Genesis Suero after being interviewed by the Telemundo host.
Genesis Suero is a successful television personality and property expert who helps buyers and sellers throughout New York City achieve their real estate dreams. She was one of the first Dominican immigrants to win the title of Miss New York USA in 2018.
She competed for the Dominican Republic in Miss Universe 2019 and was one of the finalists of the Univision reality, Nuestra Belleza Latina.
She has since joined Telemundo’s “En Casa Con Telemundo” as a correspondent focusing on stories and interviews in and around New York.
She migrated to NYC with her...
The Banco Popular Dominicano has launched the book “Marileidy Paulino: Camino al sueño olímpico” (Marileidy Paulino: The Road to the Olympic Dream), which showcases the discipline and achievements of Dominican athletics’ leading figure, culminating in her triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Since 2024, the Banco Popular has sponsored the leading track athlete.
The Banco Popular is distributing a select number of physical copies of the hardcover book, while a virtual copy is available online.
The book was written by photographer and cultural manager María Elena Moré and is a visual testament to Paulino’s effort, faith, and perseverance, making her an inspiration for current and future generations.
During the book launch event at Torre Popular, Banco Popular’s CEO, Christopher Paniagua, stated that the initiative “honors not just a champion, but a woman...
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